What do you think?
Rate this book
Water 4.0: The Past, Present, and Future of the World's Most Vital Resource
Turn on the faucet, and water pours out. Pull out the drain plug, and the dirty water disappears. Most of us give little thought to the hidden systems that bring us water and take it away when we’re done with it. But these underappreciated marvels of engineering face an array of challenges that cannot be solved without a fundamental change to our relationship with water, David Sedlak explains in this enlightening book. To make informed decisions about the future, we need to understand the three revolutions in urban water systems that have occurred over the past 2,500 years and the technologies that will remake the system. The author starts by describing Water 1.0, the early Roman aqueducts, fountains, and sewers that made dense urban living feasible. He then details the development of drinking water and sewage treatment systems—the second and third revolutions in urban water. He offers an insider’s look at current systems that rely on reservoirs, underground pipe networks, treatment plants, and storm sewers to provide water that is safe to drink, before addressing how these water systems will have to be reinvented. For everyone who cares about reliable, clean, abundant water, this book is essential reading.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
109 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
About the author
David Sedlak
3 books8 followersEducation
Ph.D. - Water Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1992
B.S. - Environmental Science, Cornell University, 1986
Ph.D. - Water Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1992
B.S. - Environmental Science, Cornell University, 1986
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 31, 2014
This is definitely an informative book. It's way more about water than you ever thought you would know, but after reading through it all you'll know twice as much or more about modern water systems and the history of water than any average person.
It seems, at its heart, to be an academic book, but it is pretty accessible to any average person. The topics aren't too terribly complex and it is explained in a commonplace way that ignores the artificial overly complex speak of scholars that sometimes exists only so they can sound fancy and official. The points are thorough here and explained reasonably, while not being too simple either. Sedlack does a nice job here.
The book begins with an outline of the history of water from "Water 1.0," which he outlines as the complex system of Roman aqueducts and canals right up until today through our systems of chlorination, filtration, and reuse of water, which he dons the name of "Water 3.0." He concludes with his ideas for what the future of water may bring which he calls "Water 4.0" and possible new ideas that are already being brought to the table.
He doesn't go too in depth into this last part, which is unfortunate, making it more of just an informative book rather than one that is proposing possible solutions to current problems with our modern systems of water delivery. He goes very in depth in our current systems of water and what we may do to fix our problems and what had been done in the past to fix past problems, which is incredibly informative and I learned a lot, but all the depth without much of a conclusion makes it all seem less worth reading it unless you have a particular and already established interest in water. It almost seems the conclusion was rushed.
I was also surprised that not a single word was mentioned about bottled water, especially since bottled water has grown to become such a norm in our culture and is a multi-billion dollar industry now. I can somewhat understand this because the book's focus is on tap water, but it's hard in my opinion to have a history of water without including even a single word on bottled water or even anything that relates to it.
He also spoke a lot about all the filtration techniques that we currently use on our water, various systems in the past, and current newly developed systems that are growing in popularity, but not a single word was ever mentioned about fluoride being added to drinking water sources. This, I found, to be deeply suspicious since it is often such a downplayed problem and the myth that adding fluoride benefits our teeth persists. In such a comprehensive book on water, something like this should have also been included.
In the end, it turns out to be a pretty decent book, but it's not one that will keep you fascinated from start to finish. It's extremely informative and accessible to most people, which makes it so valuable, but it also leaves out a few facts on the full picture of water. Overall well done, but I can't rate it anything more than a 3 because of the things it leaves out and lack of a thorough conclusion.
It seems, at its heart, to be an academic book, but it is pretty accessible to any average person. The topics aren't too terribly complex and it is explained in a commonplace way that ignores the artificial overly complex speak of scholars that sometimes exists only so they can sound fancy and official. The points are thorough here and explained reasonably, while not being too simple either. Sedlack does a nice job here.
The book begins with an outline of the history of water from "Water 1.0," which he outlines as the complex system of Roman aqueducts and canals right up until today through our systems of chlorination, filtration, and reuse of water, which he dons the name of "Water 3.0." He concludes with his ideas for what the future of water may bring which he calls "Water 4.0" and possible new ideas that are already being brought to the table.
He doesn't go too in depth into this last part, which is unfortunate, making it more of just an informative book rather than one that is proposing possible solutions to current problems with our modern systems of water delivery. He goes very in depth in our current systems of water and what we may do to fix our problems and what had been done in the past to fix past problems, which is incredibly informative and I learned a lot, but all the depth without much of a conclusion makes it all seem less worth reading it unless you have a particular and already established interest in water. It almost seems the conclusion was rushed.
I was also surprised that not a single word was mentioned about bottled water, especially since bottled water has grown to become such a norm in our culture and is a multi-billion dollar industry now. I can somewhat understand this because the book's focus is on tap water, but it's hard in my opinion to have a history of water without including even a single word on bottled water or even anything that relates to it.
He also spoke a lot about all the filtration techniques that we currently use on our water, various systems in the past, and current newly developed systems that are growing in popularity, but not a single word was ever mentioned about fluoride being added to drinking water sources. This, I found, to be deeply suspicious since it is often such a downplayed problem and the myth that adding fluoride benefits our teeth persists. In such a comprehensive book on water, something like this should have also been included.
In the end, it turns out to be a pretty decent book, but it's not one that will keep you fascinated from start to finish. It's extremely informative and accessible to most people, which makes it so valuable, but it also leaves out a few facts on the full picture of water. Overall well done, but I can't rate it anything more than a 3 because of the things it leaves out and lack of a thorough conclusion.
October 17, 2021
4,5 stars, a really good book about our water systems!
July 28, 2014
Most people don't give water a second thought, at least in the developed world. We take clean, safe, and plentiful drinking water for granted. But less than a hundred years ago, even in the US and UK, drinking the water was a crap shoot (pardon the pun). Here we are treated to a tour of water systems, beginning with Water 1.0 in Rome (importing water with aqueducts and canals), along with primitive gravity-fed sewage systems that drained directly into the river. Meanwhile, China and Japan were using sewage to fertilize their fields to boost crop yields, but with some, er, side-effects. Then it covers the successive crises that drove the development of drinking water treatment and sewage treatment, before bringing us up to the current state of the art with water systems and future possibilities. Along the way, each generation of water treatment came along with unintended consequences, like cancer causing chemicals and environmental challenges. Cities have also grown rapidly and grown in places without sustainable water supplies. Many of them are turning to a variety of water conservation methods, water re-use and recycling, and desalination.
The writing was clear and readable, and it definitely wasn't a dry read (sorry, I just couldn't help myself). The topic is important because of the need for citizen engagement. Most of the US water infrastructure is really old; much of it is nearly a century old. Politicians are reluctant to pay the huge sums of money for upkeep, much less improvements, in part due to anti-tax sentiment among the public. Most of these systems need upgrades to keep up with the population, and again, the people who work on these systems are inherently conservative and will provide more of the same unless they see public support or at least a safe environment for them if upgrades have unexpected problems. These upgrades will require investment, but won't necessarily be more expensive to operate than current systems. Besides, informed citizens should be involved with decisions as critical as stewardship of this precious resource.
The writing was clear and readable, and it definitely wasn't a dry read (sorry, I just couldn't help myself). The topic is important because of the need for citizen engagement. Most of the US water infrastructure is really old; much of it is nearly a century old. Politicians are reluctant to pay the huge sums of money for upkeep, much less improvements, in part due to anti-tax sentiment among the public. Most of these systems need upgrades to keep up with the population, and again, the people who work on these systems are inherently conservative and will provide more of the same unless they see public support or at least a safe environment for them if upgrades have unexpected problems. These upgrades will require investment, but won't necessarily be more expensive to operate than current systems. Besides, informed citizens should be involved with decisions as critical as stewardship of this precious resource.
March 8, 2016
This book is concerned with urban water systems. It only deals with crop growth to the extent that they use recycled urban water.
The book starts with Rome It was a large city that needed additional work to get the water into the city because it was so big. This is water 1.0. Many of their techniques are still in use today.
Water 2.0 is purification of the water system. When we realized that chemicals in our water were making us sick we tried out various treatment options.
Water 3.0 is treatment of the waste water. When we found that the city upstream had a dramatic influence on the quality of downstream municipal water supplies waste water treatment became common.
Of 13 chapters, I read chapter 6 “The Chlorine Dilemma” first because I have interest in our present urban water quality. Chapter 8 returns to the theme of contaminants in our water and their effect: “Traces of Trouble: Hormones, Pharmaceuticals, and Toxic Chemicals.”
Improvements are not free, and there is reluctance to spend money, as well as opposition to some of the solutions.
The book starts with Rome It was a large city that needed additional work to get the water into the city because it was so big. This is water 1.0. Many of their techniques are still in use today.
Water 2.0 is purification of the water system. When we realized that chemicals in our water were making us sick we tried out various treatment options.
Water 3.0 is treatment of the waste water. When we found that the city upstream had a dramatic influence on the quality of downstream municipal water supplies waste water treatment became common.
Of 13 chapters, I read chapter 6 “The Chlorine Dilemma” first because I have interest in our present urban water quality. Chapter 8 returns to the theme of contaminants in our water and their effect: “Traces of Trouble: Hormones, Pharmaceuticals, and Toxic Chemicals.”
Improvements are not free, and there is reluctance to spend money, as well as opposition to some of the solutions.
August 10, 2016
Sedlak gives a fantastic historical account of water use dating back to the Roman era all the way up to the present. He provides insight into the challenges we face with aging infrastructure, growing populations, pollution control, and water shortages. Additionally, he cites evidence for several solutions to these challenges.
Sedlak provides enough background on each subject and presents it in a way that should be easy for anyone to follow.
Overall, a great book!
Sedlak provides enough background on each subject and presents it in a way that should be easy for anyone to follow.
Overall, a great book!
August 27, 2016
Might rewrite after I hear what people say in the book club I'm going to go try out. Right now I give it an A in the history section and a D in the practical application section. Since that was the more important part, I give the D more weight in the final number of stars. A lot of the practical application part seems highly impractical. I don't see it as reasonable to leave the centralized system we have for water collection and waste which seems what this author was mostly advocating.
February 16, 2020
You must read this book if you are an environmental engineer (or interested in becoming one)! Sedlak does a great job describing the history and future of water infrastructure in a really engaging way.
December 25, 2017
A nuts-and-bolts look at the history, current condition, and future of our water distribution and sewer networks.
The book is written in a rather dry style, and comes across as the work of a technician, though it is never too technical for a reader with some basic understanding of science. The author spends much of the book explaining the mechanisms by which water is made safe for drinking, and waste is treated to minimize its impact on the environment and on human health - and the limitations of both systems.
That doesn't necessarily make for exciting reading, but a knowledge of these systems is important for any true understanding of how civilization has advanced, and how we will survive in a a world of increasing water scarcity.
The book is most challenging - and interesting - when it looks to the future, and explores the necessity of recapturing and using the water from our waste systems. In fact, there are already major cities whose water supplies consist, in large part, of treated waste.
I do feel that the author glosses over some of the greatest challenges, including the effects of antibiotics, hormones, and medicines released into the water on human health, and how to remove them from the waste stream. But there is much here that is worth reading. In fact, I would venture to say that without an understanding of these systems and technologies, and the alternative methods that many cities are exploring in trying to extend their water supplies, an intelligent discussion of our future in an increasingly water-challenged world is impossible.
All in all, a good start to a much-needed conversation.
The book is written in a rather dry style, and comes across as the work of a technician, though it is never too technical for a reader with some basic understanding of science. The author spends much of the book explaining the mechanisms by which water is made safe for drinking, and waste is treated to minimize its impact on the environment and on human health - and the limitations of both systems.
That doesn't necessarily make for exciting reading, but a knowledge of these systems is important for any true understanding of how civilization has advanced, and how we will survive in a a world of increasing water scarcity.
The book is most challenging - and interesting - when it looks to the future, and explores the necessity of recapturing and using the water from our waste systems. In fact, there are already major cities whose water supplies consist, in large part, of treated waste.
I do feel that the author glosses over some of the greatest challenges, including the effects of antibiotics, hormones, and medicines released into the water on human health, and how to remove them from the waste stream. But there is much here that is worth reading. In fact, I would venture to say that without an understanding of these systems and technologies, and the alternative methods that many cities are exploring in trying to extend their water supplies, an intelligent discussion of our future in an increasingly water-challenged world is impossible.
All in all, a good start to a much-needed conversation.
April 15, 2020
Probably the best book I ever read on water. About half of the book is about the history of the water services. It explains in a simple and interesting way, how and when the techonlogy was developed and applied. The other half of the book is about the future. It develops on the different management options that have been tried and have been developed lately in order to deal with the challenges of the present and the future. If one is interested in water management, then this is definitely an important book to read. You won't regret it!
February 12, 2021
An excellent general-audience overview of water infrastructure. Off-the-grid decentralized water management is one path to Water 4.0, and some of the challenges along the way will be similar to those looking to go off the electrical grid.
I look forward to an updated edition to this 2015 publication at some point.
I look forward to an updated edition to this 2015 publication at some point.
February 8, 2025
Well written history and analysis of water systems and their development. The breakdown of the revolutions from 1.0 to 3.1 were solid but 4.0 focused too much on individual decision making. Felt that there should have been more overall focus on agricultural and industry wide exploitation of freshwater and ways that they could reduce waste.
April 18, 2025
a really great, well-written history of our urban water systems. dense at times, but chock full of interesting facts and statistics about ancient water infrastructure, modern water utilities, sewage treatment and more - highly recommend to anyone interested in urban design or environmental engineering!
July 20, 2017
Great book summarizing the history of water and how it got to present day. Various processes and technical details were described in easily understood terms and provides a great platform to further investigate the different topics which interest the reader.
September 8, 2017
This book ignited my passion for reading non-fiction books about infrastructure and municipal issues. It is a great comprehensive look at the history of getting water, dealing with human waste, and looking at the impending issues that our country faces with water infrastructure.
January 8, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
For me, there was just enough technical stuff mixed in with the history and
social information.
A really interesting read for those who want to know more about their drinking and waste water
systems, where they came from and where they need to go.
For me, there was just enough technical stuff mixed in with the history and
social information.
A really interesting read for those who want to know more about their drinking and waste water
systems, where they came from and where they need to go.
June 28, 2024
I didn't finish it. The first few chapters about ancient Rome and the medieval period after was interesting. But much of the following chapters contained much more detail than I was interested in. I plowed through several more chapters but finally gave up.
June 6, 2018
Good intro to water issues
This is a good introduction to the issues around water supply. Just wished that the author wrote a more comprehensive book!
This is a good introduction to the issues around water supply. Just wished that the author wrote a more comprehensive book!
Read
November 12, 2019Really good insight into the history and evolution of water management
December 30, 2021
Great book with a compact summary of water.
June 10, 2022
“More important for those of us interested in the odors experienced downstream of early 20th century sewers….” Why yes, that 💩 🚽 interests me.
I learned SO MUCH from this book.
I learned SO MUCH from this book.
July 30, 2022
Fantastic exploration of a complex issue
Read
August 25, 2022A good overview of the history of our drinking and wastewater systems, particularly the "repeated cycle of growth, failure, and reinvention".
December 12, 2022
A book that tells you about water that we often overlook. Stormwater, rainwater, sewers, Roman aqueduct. You can understand water from the oldest time to present. Very worth reading.
September 30, 2024
I wish that I could read this again for the first time. I am saving it so that I can experience again from a difference perspective.
December 14, 2024
I work in water infrastructure and can’t get enough, so no one’s gonna like this book as much as me
January 11, 2024
An insightful and interesting overview of the development of water and sewage systems in the modern world. The book seems geared more to an American audience though, and I would have preferred a more comprehensive tour of other water systems as well!
December 7, 2018
*4.5 stars. Funny, informative, and a great overview of what I’ve learned over the years. Sedlak writes how he speaks- brought me back to being in his class.
December 3, 2024
Interesting. A little out of date, but learned a little bit more about current problems in water in the US and more. Don’t totally buy the final solutions the author puts forward, but interested nonetheless.
December 16, 2023
I actually really liked this. Fuck government water. I am going to live in the trees amidst the capuchin monkeys
December 2, 2015
Very clear and interesting coverage of the way in which civilizations have coped with the essential need for water to drink and deal with sewage and chemical pollution of required people need. I was fascinated by his historical coverage through the centuries. He moves on to "Water 2.0" which is sand filtration, and on page 54 to "rapid sand filtration," soon with Chlorine added. After 1950, garbage disposals became required to get rid of organic materials. After 1972's Clean Water Act, elimination of reduced chemicals such as DDT initiated "Water 3.0."
Chapter 8 re pharmaceuticals & toxic chemicals, is turgid reading, danger signs, raising need to cease using rivers and drinking water supplies for waste disposal due to trace amounts of chemicals. Here and after he becomes more pedantic, writing more as an advocate. For complete understanding, an increasing amount of chemistry would be helpful, progressing through the chapters. Sedlak ends with chapter 10 "The toilet-to-tap solution", 11 called "Tuning to the Sea for drinking water," and 12 "A different tomorrow" which is the operational condition of his Fourth Revolution which takes him to stage "Water 4.0" which he sees as "to abandon centralized water systems altogether."
This is an advocacy book, intended to call attention to what nations and cities must do to live safely with the water supply and quality conditions which are threatening presently. He does not present it as a diatribe, a shouting polemic, but rather as a sane quiet thoughtful scientific circumstance which civilizations are facing in the 21st century.
Publicized as "We need to understand the three revolutions in urban water systems that have occurred over the past 2,500 years and the technologies that will remake the system. The author starts by describing Water 1.0, the early Roman aqueducts, fountains, and sewers that made dense urban living feasible. He then details the development of drinking water and sewage treatment systems—the second and third revolutions in urban water. He offers an insider’s look at current systems that rely on reservoirs, underground pipe networks, treatment plants, and storm sewers to provide water that is safe to drink, before addressing how these water systems will have to be reinvented."
Chapter 8 re pharmaceuticals & toxic chemicals, is turgid reading, danger signs, raising need to cease using rivers and drinking water supplies for waste disposal due to trace amounts of chemicals. Here and after he becomes more pedantic, writing more as an advocate. For complete understanding, an increasing amount of chemistry would be helpful, progressing through the chapters. Sedlak ends with chapter 10 "The toilet-to-tap solution", 11 called "Tuning to the Sea for drinking water," and 12 "A different tomorrow" which is the operational condition of his Fourth Revolution which takes him to stage "Water 4.0" which he sees as "to abandon centralized water systems altogether."
This is an advocacy book, intended to call attention to what nations and cities must do to live safely with the water supply and quality conditions which are threatening presently. He does not present it as a diatribe, a shouting polemic, but rather as a sane quiet thoughtful scientific circumstance which civilizations are facing in the 21st century.
Publicized as "We need to understand the three revolutions in urban water systems that have occurred over the past 2,500 years and the technologies that will remake the system. The author starts by describing Water 1.0, the early Roman aqueducts, fountains, and sewers that made dense urban living feasible. He then details the development of drinking water and sewage treatment systems—the second and third revolutions in urban water. He offers an insider’s look at current systems that rely on reservoirs, underground pipe networks, treatment plants, and storm sewers to provide water that is safe to drink, before addressing how these water systems will have to be reinvented."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews